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NBA: Pending Free Agents Who Need A Change Of Scenery

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Sacramento Kings 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Sacramento Kings 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (10/11/1987)
Slash Line: .422/.363/.834
Season Averages: 31.4 MPG, 15.3 PPG, 6.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.4 3PM

The Memphis Grizzlies will begin the 2016-17 season with a third head coach in four seasons. Lionel Hollins was fired after reaching the Western Conference Finals, Dave Joerger left to coach the Sacramento Kings, and Memphis is now hitting the coaching reset button—again.

It’d be understandable for Mike Conley to return to Memphis, but it’d behoove him to find a situation with greater stability.

Conley’s the most underrated player in the NBA, and the shining example of that is his zero All-Star Game appearances. The Western Conference makes it impossible for point guards to break through, which suggests a move to the East could be what Conley needs.

Not only would he have a chance to improve a resume that should already be stronger than it is, but Conley would have a more manageable path to an elusive championship.

Going through LeBron James is no easy task, but the Western Conference is deep and flush with teams that have star point guards. Unless the San Antonio Spurs come calling, that makes Conley’s best move a shift to the Eastern Conference.

There will certainly be a number of teams with the resources and desire to bring Conley on board. He should capitalize on it.

Next: Needing The Right System